Salem, MA vs South Plainfield, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Salem
68.6
#1307 nationally
South Plainfield
72.3
#913 nationally
Salem leads in walk score (70 vs 43). South Plainfield leads in median household income ($123,417 vs $79,196). South Plainfield leads in crime level (3.2 vs 4.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, MA | South Plainfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.6 (#1307) | 72.3 (#913) |
| Population | 44,744 | 24,131 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $614,321 | $598,263 |
| Median Household Income | $79,196 | $123,417 |
| Average Commute | 30.6 min | 27.9 min |
| Walk Score | 70 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 134 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.3 | D+8.0 |
D+
68.6 Score
Salem, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$614,321
Population
44,744
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
70
Northeast
View Salem, MA →
C-
72.3 Score
South Plainfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$598,263
Population
24,131
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View South Plainfield, NJ →
Try a different matchup
Swap Salem for:
Swap South Plainfield for: